OCR Text |
Show Alfalfa is grown more widely in Utah than anyother irrigated crop Alfalfa is grown more wict ely in the state of Utah than any one other single irrigated crop. As a result, considerable amount of fertilizer has and is being used. In the early days when land was virgin, it contained adequate phosphorous or adequate plant nutrients to grow most crops that were being produced. Some fifty to one hundred years later, it was found that many of these land nutrients have been removed from the soil so that it is now necessary to replace them in order to produce a satisfactory crop. With alfalfa, the needs are primarily those of supplying Alfalfa feeds phosphorous. heavily on phosphorous and needs it in relatively large amounts in order to produce good yields. According to Rex F. Nielson, assistant professor of agronomy at Utah State University, it has been found through a number of trials that the soils of Utah are well supplied with potassium, another element that alfalfa needs in relatively large amounts. he indiHowever cated, it is available in fairly large quantities in most of our irrigation waters. He went on to say that a symbolic relationship between nitrogen-fixin- g organisms on the plant root is capable of taking free nitrogen from the air and fixing it so that additional nitrogen need not be applied to alfalfa. We have also run a number of tests in this area, he continued, and to date have never had any evidence that nitrogen is of any value to a crop of alfalfa. This is rather fortunate then, that we only need one commercial fertilized to be used with alfalfa. We would suggest that barnyard or poultry manure he used if they are available. However, they may be used more beneficially on other crops that will also use the nitrogen that is present. He said that the problem with Alfalfa boils down to primarily supplying the phosphorous fertilizer. With ald falfa, which is a is to 'better it crop, perennial utilize phosphate for the fertilizer on a rotation basis; that is, of sugar beets, which require a high amount of phosphorous, are grown, fertilize the sugar 'beets to maintain or reach the phosphorous level that would be adequate for production of four or five years of alfalfa, this to 'be followed without any additional phosphorous on the alfalfa. Nielson went on to say that if sugar beets are not grown, then it is desirable' to apply phosphorous at the time the alfalfa is being planted. It can be applied broad-caprior to planting, or it may be applied after the crop is established. About 100 pounds of available P205, phosphorous, applied every 2 to 4 years, depending upon the nature of the soil and the of the land, is usually adequate to take care of the needs of alfalfa. This would mean, Nielson added, if an application were made at the time of planting, a subsequent application might be made 2 or 3 years later that would carry the alfalfa on through the normal 3 to 5 year rota- First Security Bank spring or fall with little difference in effect. Actually, applications have been made between first and second cutting o some very deficient sites and these have proved to be quite satisfactory. There e may be some evidence to that in areas where the winters are open and dry, that application might be superior. It also helps to distribute the work load. It is good to apply fertilizer in the fall after peak work load is over and also in the spring when it doesnt interfere with other spring work. Nielson went on to say, We have noted in a number of fertilizer trials that where a .site is extremely deficient, even on a stand as old as 8 to 10 years, that a surface application of phosphorous very often will increase the yeild as much as 100 percent. The residual effects of phosphorous on alfalfa last over several years. We have run a number of trials where a single application of phosphorous on a highly deficient soil has increased yields as much as 100 percent five years after the initial application. endi-cat- the second year following the plowing out of alfalfa. However, this is depleted primarily Scientists have Completes Many indicated ways Loans in Co. Mortgage First Security Bank last year completed more mortgage loans in Utah County than any other commercial bank. Most loans are for the purchase of homes. This information is contained in the mortgage summary compiled by Security Title Company, it was announced Thursday by F. V. Nichols, vice president in charge of First Securitys central division. Mark D. Bowen is manager of First Security Bank in Spanish Fork. The summary shows that First Security in 1960, completed 242 mortgage loans, to $2,921,250, in Utah County. Last year there were issued in Utah County building permits for a total of 559 new dwelling units valued at a total of $6,194,800, according to figures released by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research of the University of U-ta- h. at that time. to use fertilizer Scientists at Utah State University have indicated that handling fertilizer requirements of spring grains can be done in several ways. In the past, animal manure was used to supply the needed plant nutrients. With the increased intensity in farming currently in practice, it is no longer possible to obtain enough animal manure to take care of these needs. As a result, it has been necessary to resort to commercial fertilizers. A practice that is followed by farmers to supply nitrogen, which is the principal plant growth element needed by grains, is to follow alfalfa with small grains. When affalfa is plowed up, the nitrogen-fixinorganisms in the nodules remain on the plant roots, decompose and release nitrogen to the new crop. As a result, when alfalfa has been plowed up, and spring grain planted, the nitrogen level of that soil is usually relatively high the first year. Very often the amount of nitrogen supplied by the alfalfa crop is adequate to take care of g The leading Utah County community in new homes started last year, was Orem, with 172. Provo was next, with 120, and American Fork was third with 51. Spanish Fork followed with 38 and then Springville, a good crop of grain. Normally, with 34. a residual effect will be gotten Where alfalfa is not used in rotation or where the grain crop is planted several years beyond the time the alfalfa is plowed out then it becomes necessary to apply nitrogen fertilizer. When a nitrogen fertilizer is applied to small grains, usually an increase in yield results. However, since a plant is more vigorous, it grows more lush and the problejn of lodging is acute. varieties of grains should be used in order to avoid this problem. The of nitrogen to be applied to small grains will be influenced in part by the amount of water available and also by the amount of residual nitrogen present in the soil. Normally, the range would be something on the order of 50 to 100 pounds of available N breaker. This can be supplied with 300 pounds of ammonia nitrate or some 250 pounds of ammonia sulphate. The nutrient requirement for small grains in Utah is primarily limited to that of nitrogen. Nitrogen supplied from commercial fertilizer usually, is used up the first' year it is applied. Residual effects with nitrogen are relatively small if they exist at alL Stiff-strawe- FERTILIZER... and Increased long-live- st pro-ducivi- ty Farm Income Proper application of the right kind of fertilizer can increase crop yield and boost farm profits. Soils vary widely in their needs for fertilizer. Some require nitrogen, some phosphorus, some potash, some need ; all three in the right balance. This is a good time of the year to test your soil to determine if it is ready to produce at peak efficiency. Your county agent will be happy to show you how it can be done. Youll find this is a good time of the year to check your financial condition, too. Come in and talk to our people, let them show you how you can get the most from your money through the money control which a First Security checking account provides. Theyre ready to discuss your agricultural financing problems, too. tion. A number of questions have been asked regarding the time of applying phosphorous to alfalfa. It has been determined that it can be applied conveniently ' either in the Nil JocvfHjr lull ( Molw, N.A. Nt Security Bonk of Utah, N.A. First Security Innfc of Rack Springs Mtmbtrs Federol Deposit Insurance Corporation d |